On ideas and economic policy: a survey of MENA economists. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hendy, Rana; Mohieldin, Mahmoud
• Is Part Of: Middle East development journal. Volume 12:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 176
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Schools of economic thought -- economic policy -- vested interest -- Middle East and North Africa -- Economic History; B00 -- B1 -- B3 -- N01 -- N10 -- O11; Middle East -- Economic conditions -- 1979- -- Periodicals; Economic forecasting -- Middle East -- Periodicals; Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1960- -- Periodicals; Economic forecasting -- Africa -- Periodicals; Economic forecasting; Economic history; Africa; Middle East; Periodicals; 338.95605
• DOI: 10.1080/17938120.2020.1716619
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1793-8120

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper examines how economic ideas have been shaped throughout history and the influence of these on the formulation of economic policy. We collect both quantitative and qualitative data from economists who are originally from the Middle East and North Africa region or working on the region. We find that economists and their ideas are more likely to be influenced by multiple schools of thought than adhere to one school. This multiplicity spills over into the type of solutions proposed to economic problems and thus policy implications. One of the main recommendations of this study is that there is a need for the development of economics and economists to recognize the impact of political and social issues that are not easy to grasp through modeling.